Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim on Saturday said with the increase on cases on the island, he is urging anybody who believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to get tested. But he noted the 43 cases reported on Saturday are mostly confined to two locations, University of the Nations in Kona and Life Care Center of Hilo, making them a bit easier to contain. University of the Nations has agreed to have all their personnel tested, and they are essentially locking down the campus except for essential workers.
Kim said, as upset as he is about the spike in cases, he would be more concerned if the cases were randomly spread throughout the island. But especially regarding the outbreak at University of the Nations, he said they need to adhere to the island’s COVID-19 restrictions–although they are not generally permanent residents, they are subject to the same rules.
Below is a testing schedule for the island which the County has arranged for this week:
The tests are free, and drive-through.
- Monday, October 5, Keauhou Shopping Center, 9:00am-Noon
- Tuesday, October 6, Honoka‘a Sports Complex, 9:00am-1:00pm
- Wednesday, October 7, Keauhou Shopping Center, 9:00am-Noon
- Wednesday, October 7, Civic Auditorium, Hilo, 3:00pm-6:00pm. Please enter from Kuawa Street entrance.
- Thursday, October 8, Waimea District Park, 9:00am-1:00pm
- Friday, October 9, Keauhou Shopping Center, 9:00am-Noon
- Saturday, October 10, venue in Kona to be announced, 9:00am-1:00pm.
No insurance is necessary to be tested, but please bring your insurance card if you have one. No co-pay for individuals being tested.
Please be sure to wear a face covering at all times, and observe social distancing.